Narberth council authorizes bid advertisement for stormwater bump‑outs after residents’ concerns

Narberth Borough Council on July 16 authorized staff to advertise bids for a 2026 stormwater bump‑out project on Windale Road and associated intersection improvements, following an extended public-comment period and technical briefing from borough staff and the engineer. The motion, amended to reflect the engineer’s recommended locations, passed by a 6–1 vote.

Council members and residents debated whether to install two bump‑outs or a single unit. Borough staff and the engineer said the recommended locations — a north‑side unit between house numbers 61 and 63 and a south‑side unit near number 94 — were chosen to split property frontage so no single homeowner bears the full impact and to maximize pollutant‑capture credits required under the borough’s MS4 pollutant reduction plan. The engineer estimated the north‑side drainage area at roughly 114,000 square feet and cited an estimated capture of about 2,763 pounds of sediment for that drainage area.

Several residents who spoke during the public‑comment period opposed two bump‑outs in one block, citing possible loss of on‑street parking, visibility and a perceived risk to property values. “One bump‑out is sufficient,” said resident Patricia Murphy, speaking from Winddale Road. Others suggested alternative designs that place vegetated capture areas in the verge rather than intruding into the roadway.

Staff responded that the devices are intended primarily as sediment traps — collecting grit, vegetation and debris from the roadway before it enters storm drains — and are not designed to store contaminated material. One staff presenter summarized the design as “a capture mechanism for sediments that would otherwise flow into our storm sewer and waterways.” Staff also said limiting the length of some bump‑outs would preserve a 20‑foot parking space in front of affected houses when possible.

Council also authorized, in the same action, intersection improvements that will widen the northeast radius at Shady and Windale to improve turning movements for larger vehicles. Members stressed that the design will include safety measures and that the borough’s fire marshal reviewed site lines and access considerations.

Council additionally approved an item to purchase decorative safety fencing for the bump‑outs — staff reported a vendor quote of about $10,152 plus anchoring — intended to reduce the risk of falls into planted areas and improve visibility.

The vote followed months of study and a directive from the council to the engineer to identify locations that reduce impacts to any single property. Staff said the project helps the borough demonstrate progress toward long‑term permit goals and that doing nothing would leave the borough behind on required annual credit targets. The project will be bid and, if bids align with budget and grant availability, proceed to construction scheduling.